State Political Correspondent for The Age

Guard of honour: Mourners pay tribute to professional firefighter Peter Cramerat his funeral in Traralgon on Monday. Photo: Angela Wylie

AMID a heavy smoke haze from nearby fires hundreds of mourners gathered in Traralgon on Monday to remember Peter ''Crackers'' Cramer who died earlier this month in Tasmania.

Mr Cramer, 61, a professional firefighter with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, was in Tasmania as part of a Victorian contingent helping battle that state's fires.

Family and friends remembered Mr Cramer as a loveable larrikin and a hero who did not have acquaintances, but rather ''life-long friends''.

Peter Cramer.

Friend Kevin Giblin said he was a devoted husband and cherished grandfather who put everything into his work.

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''Most people who worked with Crackers expected to get a big hug, with or without a kiss,'' Mr Giblin said.

Mr Cramer's son, Dylan, said his father was the greatest dad who would do anything to make his day.

''He will always be my hero, my idol, my everything,'' Dylan said.

Premier Ted Baillieu joined mourners - scores stood outside in the sun and smoke - to hear tributes from Mr Cramer's family and friends.

Staff from the department, where Mr Cramer had a long career, and CFA firefighters from nearby fires attended the services as did Tasmanian firefighters. Mr Cramer's coffin was draped in the Australian flag and driven from the funeral with a guard of honour from emergency services.

Family spokesman Richard Teychenne said Mr Cramer died doing what he loved most, ''working on fires, working in the bush and most of all helping others.

''He will be remembered by all our staff as a person with a real zest for life, a person with a passion, a person who made you laugh and a person who cared about everyone,'' Mr Teychenne said.

''His larrikin charm and his great sense of humour brought a smile to many faces, in good times and in testing times.''

His brother Gavin said Mr Cramer was always a funny, passionate, caring person who looked out for all in his life, be they family, a friend or colleague.

He said that he half expected his brother to jump out of the coffin and say ''fooled ya''.